Darby Man Threatens Bar Patrons With Molotov Cocktail [AUDIO]

Ravalli County Sheriff's deputies arrested Jack Hatzenbuehler of Darby early Saturday morning after he allegedly threatened patrons of the Conner Bar with a Molotov cocktail.

Sheriff Chris Hoffman said Hatzenbuehler, 53, had been drinking at the bar for several hours when he got into a verbal exchange with other bar patrons and was asked to leave.

"Hatzenbuehler told the other bar patrons that he would be back, and he would be locked and loaded, and also threatened to burn the place down," Hoffman said. "According to witnesses, Hatzenbuehler did return a short time later and was seen by other bar patrons getting out of his truck with a Molotov cocktail in one hand, and a lighter in the other. He was confronted by another bar patron who was able to subdue him before he could light the device."

Hoffman said Hatzenbuehler had plans for the Molotov cocktail that could have severely injured other people in the area.

"He saw a number of people throwing firecrackers into a bonfire, so he went to his home and returned with the Molotov cocktail, which he intended to throw into the open flames," Hoffman said. "He said if there were only a few people around the bonfire, he would have thrown the device into the flames, causing an explosion."

Hoffman said Hatzenbuehler was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon and possession of a destructive device, both felonies. He appeared in Ravalli County Justice Court on Monday, and was released on $10,000 bail.